The U.S. Department of Agriculture raised its expectations for poultry production in 2027, with broiler output pushed higher as producers respond to favorable margins and strong domestic demand. The USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates now forecasts broiler production at 49,600 million lb for 2027, up from the projection for 2026. Total U.S. red meat and poultry production is expected to rise, with gains concentrated in pork and poultry while the beef sector continues its rebuild.
Broiler production was increased based on official production data through March and recent slaughter and hatchery reports that point to higher output in the second and third quarters. The USDA noted broiler exports are forecast lower amid increased global competition and adjusted broiler exports slightly lower in the second quarter on recent trade data. Producers’ margins and steady domestic demand remain primary drivers of the expanded broiler forecast.
Turkey production is also projected to increase for a second straight year as producer returns improve, with the USDA estimating 2027 turkey output at 5,140 million lb, up from the 2026 estimate of 5,055 million pounds. The agency raised its turkey production forecast while also trimming export expectations because of stronger competition in export markets. For 2027, turkey prices are forecast lower at 130 cents per pound versus 160 cents per pound in 2026.
Production drivers
Egg production was forecast higher for 2027, with the USDA estimating 9,330 million dozen eggs, up from an estimated 9,120 million dozen in 2026; 2026 egg production was lowered earlier after reductions to the laying flock based on recent hatchery data. Broiler prices are forecast modestly higher at 124 cents per pound in 2027 compared with 121.9 cents in 2026, and egg prices are forecast higher on improved demand at 110 cents per dozen for 2027 versus 97.6 cents per dozen for 2026.
USDA’s Egg Markets Overview showed wholesale prices in the major Midwest production region higher for large, white shell eggs delivered to warehouses at $0.59 per dozen, while the price to producers for large cartoned shell eggs was $0.42 per dozen. The report said the inventory of shell eggs available for marketing at the start of the week decreased 8% nationally, with the national inventory of Large class shell eggs down 13% and the Midwest large-shell inventory down 25% as movement into marketing channels remained slow. The average national wholesale price for breaking stock was reported at $0.1488 per dozen with mostly steady undertones.
No new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza were reported in the most recent week, marking seven weeks since the last significant outbreak, but the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service data show HPAI in commercial table-egg layer flocks in 2026 has resulted in the depopulation of 15.2 million birds in 24 confirmed outbreaks across Colorado, Indiana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin.
Photo - hpj.com
